If a person wishes to bleach dyed hair, there are several tips that can make the process go more smoothly and minimize the risk of damage. Commercial, boxed lighteners are a choice, but consumers must follow all instructions carefully. A solution made from developer and powdered bleach can have the quickest results, but users must handle it carefully so as to avoid injury or overprocessing.
There are many commercial brands of hair coloring and lighteners available for anyone wishing to bleach dyed hair. Salons, pharmacies, supermarkets, and beauty supply stores carry them. Labels can indicate whether a product will fit an individual's needs and help in choosing the one that can effectively bleach dyed hair. For instance, one product might be designed only for hair that has not been previously dyed, but another could be specifically made for lightening dyed hair. Whichever product is chosen, the buyer must follow all instructions and precautions very carefully to ensure the best results.
As an alternative to boxed hair coloring products, an individual might choose to create his or her own hair-lightening mixture from a combination of developer and powder bleach. Developers, normally sold at health and beauty stores, are peroxide mixtures that are usually labeled according to the volume of peroxide they contain. Most commonly, they have a volume of either 30 or 40. For the best results, individuals should opt for developers with a volume of 30, which is about nine percent peroxide. A volume of 40 or higher could be too harsh and wind up damaging the hair.
Powder bleach, like the developer, is usually sold at health and beauty stores. Individuals should choose the dust-free variety because the fumes and residue of powder bleach can be harmful if inhaled in high concentrations. Normally, powder bleach comes with a premeasured scoop. Directions for mixing are typically included with both the developer and the powder bleach, but as a general rule, two scoops of powder are usually added to three ounces (about 30 ml) of developer.
For the best results, users apply the mixture of powder bleach and developer to the hair as uniformly as possible and leave it on for 45 minutes to one hour, but never more than one hour. A person should be sure to wear protective eyewear and latex-style gloves in order to avoid any harmful effects from the chemicals. Cotton placed around the ears and neckline protect sensitive skin from the harsh effects of the bleach mixture.
As an additional tip, when washing the solution out after the processing time is over, a neutralizing shampoo can stop any residual bleaching process. Using a protein-based deep conditioner also helps restore shine and soft texture to bleached hair. Also, for the best results, a toner can be applied. The toner serves to tame and soften the color.
At least seven days should be allowed in between chemical processing treatments in order to give hair a chance to recover its resilience. Consequently, if a person wishes to bleach dyed hair, he or she should first wait a minimum of seven days after the initial coloring process before applying the bleach. Similarly, if the desired color is not achieved after the first bleaching, an individual should wait at least seven days before he or she can again safely bleach dyed hair without causing damage.